Federal Skilled Worker Program

The Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) is one of the immigration pathways under Canada's Express Entry system, designed to attract highly skilled individuals to immigrate to Canada. It is aimed at workers with foreign work experience in skilled occupations who meet the program's eligibility criteria. The goal is to fill labor shortages in Canada's economy and contribute to the country's workforce with skilled talent. This is a key category of Express Entry (EE) program.

 

Key Features of the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)

Here’s a detailed explanation of the main components of the FSWP:

1. Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the Federal Skilled Worker Program, candidates must meet the following key criteria:

Minimum program requirements

 

To qualify under this program, an applicant must:

2. Selection Factors

To qualify for the Federal Skilled Worker Program, candidates must meet the minimum eligibility requirements based on the following selection factors:

a) Age

The age factor awards points based on your age at the time of application. Points are awarded most favorably to candidates between 18 and 35 years old. Points start to decrease as the applicant ages, with those over 47 receiving zero points for age.

b) Education

Points are awarded based on the highest level of education attained by the applicant. The more education you have, the higher your points. A post-graduate degree will earn more points than a secondary school diploma.

c) Language Ability

Proficiency in one of Canada's official languages (English or French) is a critical factor. The better your language skills (higher CLB scores), the more points you will receive.

d) Work Experience

Points are awarded based on your years of work experience in a skilled occupation. The more years of full-time (or equivalent part-time) work experience in the last 10 years, the more points you will gain. For example:

e) Arranged Employment

If you have a valid job offer from a Canadian employer, you can gain additional points. The job offer must be in a skilled occupation (NOC TEER 0, 1,2 or 3) and typically requires a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) from the employer unless exempt.

f) Adaptability

If you have a spouse or common-law partner who is applying with you, additional points can be awarded based on their education, language skills, and work experience. Points can also be earned for Canadian study experience, a previous work permit, or a close relative in Canada.

Important Points
 Applicants are required to achieve a minimum of 67 points according to the immigration selection factors established by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). This points system is distinct from the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), which is used to assess and rank all Express Entry profiles.  The six selection factors are as follows:

 

Factors                                                                       Points


Education                                                                         25

Language                                                                          28

Work Experience                                                        15

Age                                                                                        12

Arranged Employment                                          10

Adaptability                                                                    10


The applicants must plan to reside outside the province of Quebec. The province of Quebec selects its own skilled workers through a unique immigration system.

3. Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS)

Once you meet the basic eligibility requirements and enter the Express Entry pool, you are given a score based on the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). The CRS score is calculated from the information you provide in your Express Entry profile, including factors like:

Candidates with the highest CRS scores are invited to apply for permanent residence through regular Express Entry draws.

4. Application Process

After you meet the eligibility requirements and have been invited to apply (ITA) through the Express Entry draw, you will need to submit a complete application for permanent residency. This includes:

The Canadian government aims to process most FSWP applications within six months or less.

The Federal Skilled Worker Program is one of the most popular routes for skilled workers to immigrate to Canada. It is based on a merit system, where applicants are selected based on factors such as their education, work experience, language proficiency, and adaptability. The program is highly competitive, so the higher your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score, the better your chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence in Canada. 


Proof of Funds:


Applicants are required to demonstrate adequate Settlement Funds to support themselves and their dependents upon arriving in Canada. However, this requirement is waived for foreign nationals who are presently employed in Canada and/or those who have secured arranged employment in Canada. The following table outlines the minimum amount of funds needed for immigration to Canada. If applicants have additional funds beyond the minimum requirement, they should include the full amount in their profile or application.



  Number of Family Members                               Funds Required (In Canadian Dollars)- Updated on June 03, 2024

                      1                                                                                      $14.690

                               2                                                                                      $18,288

                               3                                                                                      $22,483

                       4                                                                                      $27,297

                       5                                                                                      $30,690

                       6                                                                                      $34,917

                       7                                                                                      $38,875

     If more than 7 people, for each                                    $3,918

     additional family member, add 


To calculate the size of your family, include:

You must include your spouse or common-law partner and dependent children, even if they’re: